An Editorial Essay for the Illegalization of Abortion

An Editorial Essay For The Illegalization Of Abortion

Many have pondered upon the meaning of abortion. The argument being

that every child born should be wanted, and others who believe that every

child conceived should be born (Sass vii). This has been a controversial

topic for years. Many people want to be able to decide the destiny of

others. Everyone in the United States is covered under the United States

constitution, and under the 14th Amendment women have been given the choice

of abortion. In 1973, Harry A. Blackmun wrote the majority opinion that

it's a women's right to have an abortion. Roe v. Wade legalized abortion.

Even though these people have been given the right, the case is not closed.

Pro-life activists carry a strong argument, and continue to push their

beliefs. They feel so strongly about these beliefs that violence has broken

out in some known instances. Pro-choice activists, on the other hand, also

carry very strong points. They believe that the child inside them is their

property and it's life doesn't be until birth. In 1973, the United States

Supreme Court decided that as long as the baby lived in the womb, he or she

would be the property of the mother. Because of this decision almost every

third baby conceived in America is killed by abortion, over one and a half

million babies a year (Willke vii). Many countries have followed our

decision on the abortion issue and some of these include Canada, England,

and France. Other countries still believe abortion should be illegal, they

include Germany, Ireland, and New Zealand. Although many believe that

abortion is a women's choice, abortion should be banned because its immoral

and life begins at conception.

Abortion is the choice of a women whether or not she want's to receive

one. Under the 14th Amendment's "personal liberty" women are given the

right to receive an abortion. The 14th Amendment's concept of "personal

liberty" and restrictions on state action is enough to allow a women's

decision whether or not to terminate her pregnancy. The right to choose to

have an abortion is so personal and essential to women's lives that without

this right women cannot exercise other fundamental rights and liberties

guaranteed by the Constitution (Paltrow 72). The state can't interfere in

the private lives of a citizen. Without the right to choose an abortion

the 14th Amendment's guarantee of liberty has little meaning for women.

With the right to choose abortion, women are able to enjoy, like men, the

rights to fully use the powers of their minds and bodies (Paltrow 73). A

man can withdraw from a relationship as soon as he finds out about a

pregnancy. There is no question of his involve t after that, he has made

his choice. It is only fair to say that women should be given the same

choice. If one doesn't want to hold the responsibilities of a child than

she should be able to have the choice of abortion in her options." Because

contraceptives fail, and because they are not always available or possible

to use, abortion is necessary if people are to be able to determine whether

and when to "bear or beget a child"(Paltrow 72). Couples choose the

alternative of abortion so they can start or expand their families when

they feel most ready and able to care for them. Women choose to have an

abortion because pregnancy and childbirth can prevent them from keeping

their jobs, from feeding their families, and from serving others in ways

they consider necessary and appropriate. Pregnancy and child birth may

determine whether a women ever gets to start or complete her education,

which will significantly influence her ability to support herself and her

family. The availabilit y of abortion makes it possible for people not

only to choose the number of children they want, but also to create the

kind of family life they have always wanted for themselves, to meet their

responsibilities. If a women cannot choose to terminate an unwanted

pregnancy, she is denied the right to the "possession and control" of her

own body. One of the most sacred rights of common law is to choose and if

a women can't do this than their most important possession is taken away.

Abortion isn't only a women's right, it's a women's choice.

However, allowing abortion to be legal is immoral. A pre-born child

is given the status of a "product of pregnancy" and never seen as the

miracle only a women can create. Compassion for the small one is drowned

out under a demand for "rights",